Flush valve



T. R. BEGGS vFLUSH VALVE Nov. 17, 1925.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Juno 4, 1924 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Be yys Thomas]? Nov. 17, 1925.

T. R. BEGGS FLUSH VALVE Filed Juno 4. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BlNV ENTCR t/{YITNESSES ATTO RNEY Patented Nov. 11, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,561,504 PATENT OFFICE.

- THOMAS ROBERT BEGGS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

FLUSH VALVE.

Application filed June 4,

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, THOMAS R. Bases, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Flush Valve, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flush valves, such as are adapted to be used in connection with water closets and the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a valve of this type, which is eflicient in its operation and yet has only a few parts and which may be manufactured at a small cost, a valve which may be easily assembled, and in which worn out packing or other parts may be replaced with a minimum amount of labor and expense.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a valve of this kind which doesnot begin to flush until the operating handle is released, so that the full pressure from the water main is exerted against the diaphragm until it is fully raised. This insures eflicient operation even where the pressure is low,

and at each operation, the same amount of water will be discharged into the bowl.

The invention consists further in such details of construction and combinations of elements as will be more fully explained in the followin detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the preferred form-of the invention. I

In the drawings: I

F-ig%ae 1 is a vertical section through the invention with the parts in normal or inactive position.

Figure 2 is a similar view of the valve after the initial opening movement.

Figure 3 .is a similar view showing the position of the parts during the flushing operation.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1. ,1

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the collar which supports the primary valve.

Figure 8 isa detail sectional view, magnified, of the hollow needle through which water is slowly admitted to close the valve.

1924;. Serial No. 717,754.

Figure 91s a detail perspective view of the relief valve head.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the collar.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the primary valve head.

Figure12 is a perspective view of the cage in which the sleeve valve reciprocates.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the invention is shown in connection with a water supply pipe 1, and an outlet pipe 2 leading to the bowl. The valve isenclosed by a housing 3, having a laterally extendin sleeve 4 threaded to the supply pipe 1, an having a downwardly extending outlet portion 5 terminating in avthreaded nipp e 6, which may be connected by the usual union '7 to the pipe 2.

The outlet portion 5 is extended upwardly within the housing 3 to provide a seat 8 for the outlet valve. The housing .3 is extended upwardly and terminates in a seat 9,

externally threaded to receive a cap 10, which cooperates therewith to clamp a circular diaphragm 11. acircular central opening, which receives a collar 12 having a peripheral flan e 13, which cooperates with a ring 14 threa ed to the upper end ofthe collar to clamp the inner edge of the diaphragm 11, so that the collar is securely attached thereto.

The collar 12 has a downwardly extending reduced portion 15, which is mternally threaded and receives a threaded boss 16, which forms an integral. upward extension oia cylindrical. cage 17. The primary valve head 18 is circular and provided with a central opening 19. through which the boss 16 projects, and an annular shoulder 20, near the lower end of the reduced portion 15 of the sleeve, cooperates with the up er. surface of the cage 17 to clamp the va ve head 18 to the cage. A suitable gasket 21 is carried by the valve head 18, and is adapted to cooperate with the seat 8 to form a water tight closure. l

The position of the primary valve head 18 is controlled by the position of the diaphragm 11, which in turn is determined by the' total relative pressure on its upper and lower surfaces, respectively. When the water between the diaphragm 11 and the cap 10 is released, the pressure on the upper side of the diaphragm is relieved, and the diaphragm rises to open the valve 18. Dur- This diaphragm has 1 phragm through a bore 22 in the collar 12.

The lower end of this bore is slightly contracted, so as to form a seat for receiving a needle 23, which has a restricted duct 24 therethrough. The needle 23 is preferably long enough so as to project slightly above the sleeve, so that it may be easily removed for cleaning or substituting a needle having a larger or smaller duct. The under side of the flange 13 is formed with an annular shoulder 25, and the upper face of the valve head 18 is provided with a similar shoulder 26 of like diameter to receive a cylindrical screen 27 of fine mesh, which will aid materially in preventing the clogging of the duct 24.

The cage 17 is provided near its upper end with ports 28, which are normally within the mouth of the outlet passage 5, but are uncovered when the valve 18 is raised to permit the water to flow therethrougl1,-as seen in Figure 3. The ports 28, however, may, under certain conditions, ,be closed from the inside, as hereinafterexplained, by a sleeve valve 29, which is mounted to reciprocate within the cage 17. k The lower end of the sleeve valve 29 is formed by a spider 30, having openings 31 throughwhich the water may pass.

The boss 16 is provided .with a central bore 32, in which there is mounted for reciprocation a triangular stem 33, having its upper end reduced and threaded to receive the head 34 of a relief valve. A gasket 35 is held between the head 34 and the shoulder formed at the upper endof the stem 33, and seats on the upper end of the boss 16. The lower end of the stem 33 is also reduced and threaded, as at 36, and extends through the center of the spider 30, being held therein by a nut 37, which is so adjusted that the stem has a limited reciprocatory movement in the spider. An expansible coiled spring 38 surrounds the stem 33 between the upper end of the'cage and the spider 30, so that the latter is normally held at the lower land of the stem. I

Since the stem 33 is triangular in cross section, it leaves a passageway 39 between it and the wall of the bore 32, and as soon as the relief valve head 34 is raised, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2,.the water confined above the diaphragm 11 is released, so that the pressure beneath the diaphragm overcomes thepressure on its upper face,.and the primary valve 18'is opened. The lower end of the cage 17 is internally threaded, and receives a retainin ring 40. A circular tilting head 41 is contained between the ring 40 and the lower end of the cage 17, the hub 41 of the tilting head being disposed so as to give clearance to the lower end of the stem 33. A stem 42 projects downwardly from the hub41, and is engageable by' a" laterally reciprocable plunger 43 to tilt the head 41, as shown in Figure 2, and to raise the cage 17 The plunger 43 is advanced in the usual manner by the depression, of a handle 44. Y

The operation of the valve will now be described. Normally, the parts are in the position shown in Figure 1. The water under pressure within the housing 3 is in free communication through the hollow needle 23 with the space above the diaphragm 11. There is downward pressure, therefore, throughout the entire upper surface of the diaphragm, while the upward pressure on the under side of the diaphragm covers only the annular surface lying outside of the valve cags 17 This. difference in pressure holds the valve 18 firmly on its seat, and prevents any flow of water. When the handle 44 is depressed, however, the head 41 is tilted laterally, as shown in Figure 2.

The sleeve valve 29 is raised until the ports 28 are covered. The spring 38 is comparatively weak, and is not sufficient to overcome,the excess of downward pressure on the diaphragm, so that during this movement the valve 18 remains closed. Just as the ports 28 are closed, the spider 30 comes above the diaphragm 11 is immediately discharged through the passageways 39, re;

lieving all pressure from the upper surface of the diaphragm, so that the latter is raised by the pressure underneath and raises the valve 18 and cage 17; The ports 28 are still closed by the sleeve valve 29 so that there is still no flow from the main supply pipe 1 into the bowl but the full pressure from the main is exerted against the' under side of the diaphragm until the valve'18 and cage 17 are fully raised. As soon as the handle 44 is released however the sleeve valve 29 will be lowered and the ports 28 will be opened, as shown in Fig.3. The relief valve 34 will be seated, and the tilting head 44 will resume its normal position. The flushing will then continue, while the space above the diaphragm is slowly refilled through the vhollow needle 23. As soon as this refilling is completed, the excess of pressure on the upper side of the diaphragm will again restore-the parts to the original position, as shown in Figure 1. In case the handle 44 is depressed and not immediately released, the relief valve 34 will remain open, and the ports 28 will remain closed by the sleeve valve 29.

It is to be particularly noted that theprovision of the cage 17 and sleeve valve 29 insure the full opening of the valve 18 even when the pressure in the system is 10W. The flushing operation will begin only when the handle 44 is released, its duration will always be the same, and the same amount of water will be discharged into the bowl.

It is also to benoted that the entire mechanism is contained within a unitary housing 3, which may be removed or installed as a unit. -When it is desired to replace any of the packing, or to correct any other irregularity in its operation, it is only necessary to remove the cap 10, when the entire valve may be withdrawn from the housing, and all parts thereof examined.

Although I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it must be understood that many modifications and changes may be made thereinwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a primary valve associated with said outlet, a cage secured to said valve and ,slidable within the outlet and having ports which are uncovered when the valve is raised, and a sleeve valve reciprocable within the cage to open or close the ports from the inside.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a diaphragm'extending across the space within the housing, a primary valve secured centrally to the diaphragm and adapted to seat on the mouth of said outlet, a cage secured to said valve and fitting within the outlet and having ports which are uncovered when the valve is raised, and a sleeve valve reciprocable within the cage to open or close the ports from the inside. v

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a primary valve adapted to seat on the mouth of said outlet, a cage secured to the valve and having ports which are uncovered when the valve is raised, a sleeve valve within the cage, means operable to raise the sleeve'valve to close said ports from the inside and'subsequently to raise-the primary valve and cage, 'and means tolower the sleeve valve to open said -ports while the cage is still raised.

4. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a housing having an inlet and an outlet. a primary valve associated with said outlet, a cage secured to said valve and slidable within the outlet and having ports which are uncovered when the valve and cage are raised, a retaining ring secured within the lower end of the cage, a sleeve valve within the cage, and a tilting head operable between the retaining ring and sleeve valve to raise the latter into position to close said ports.

5. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a primary valve adapted to seat in the mouth of said outlet, a cage secured to said valve and slidable within the outlet and having ports which are uncovered when the valve and cage are raised, a retaining ring secured within the lower end of the cage, a sleeve valve reciprocable within the cage to open or close the ports from the inside, a tilting head between the retaining head and sleeve valve and operable to raise the latter to close said ports and subsequently to raise the cage and primary valve, and means to lower the sleeve valve to open said ports while the cage is still raised. 6. In a device of the character described, the combination'of a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a diaphragm extending acrom the space within the housing, a primary valve secured centrally to the diaphragm and adapted to seat on the mouth of said outlet, a cage secured to said valve and fitting within the outlet and having ports which are uncovered when the valve. and cage are raised, a retaining ring secured within the lower end of the'cage, a sleeve valve within the cage. and a tilting head operable between the retaining ring and sleeve valve to raise the latter into position to close said ports.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a diaphragm extending across the space within the housing, a collar secured centrally of the diaphragm, a cage slidable within the outlet and having an upwardly extending boss secured within the collar, a primary valve clamped between the cage and collar and adapted to seat on the mouth of said outlet, said cage havingports which are uncovered when the primary valve and cage are raised, and a sleeve valve reciprocable withinthe cage to open and close said ports from the inside. 7

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a diaphragm extending across the space within the housing, a collar se- I from the inside and subsequently to raise the cage and primary valve, and means to lower the sleeve valve to open said ports while the cage is still raised.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of ahousing having an inlet and an outlet, a. diaphragm extending across the space within the housing, a collar secured centrally of the diaphragm, a cage slidable within the outlet and having an upwardly extending boss secured within the collar, a primary valve clamped between the cage and collar and adapted to seat on the mouth of said outlet, said cage having ports which are uncovered when the primary valve and cage are raised, a retaining ring secured within the lower end of the cage, a sleeve valve reciprocable within the cage, a tilting head operable between the retaining ring and sleeve valve to raise the latter into posi tion to close said ports from the inside and subsequently to raise the primary valve and cage, and spring means acting between the cage and sleeve valve to lower the latter to open said ports while the cage is still raised.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a diaphragm extending across the space within the housing, a. collar secured centrally of the diaphragm, a cage slidable within the outlet. and formed with an upwardly extending boss secured within the collar and having a central vertical bore therethrough, a primary valve clamped between the cage and collar and adapted to seat on the mouth of said outlet, a relief valve seating on the upper end of the boss and having-a stem guided within said bore, said stein being formed so as to leave passageways through the bore when the relief valve is raised, and means for preventing the discharge of water past the primary valve during its opening movement.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing Having an inlet and an outlet, a diaphragm extending across the space within the housing, a collar secured centrallv of the diaphragm, a

cage slidablewithin the outlet and formed with an upwardly extending boss secured within the collar and having a central verti cal bore therethrough, a primary valve clamped between the cage and collar and adapted to seat on the mouth of said outlet, said cage having ports which are uncovered when the primary valve and cage are raised, a sleeve valve reciprocable within the cage to open and close said ports from the inside, a relief valve seating on the upper end of said boss andihaving a stem guided within said bore, said stem being formed so as to leave passageways through the bore when the relief valve is raised, means for raising said sleeve valve toclose said ports and subsequently raise said relief valve, and means for lowering the sleeve valveto open said ports while the cage is raised.

12? In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a diaphragm extending across the space within the housing, a collar secured centrally of the diaphragm, a cage slidable within the outlet and formed with an upwardly extending boss secured within the collar and having a vertical central bore therethrough, a primary valve clamped be: tween the cage and collar and seating on the mouth of said outlet, said cage havingports' which are uncovered when the primary valve is raised, said tilting head being operable upon further movement after the sleeve valve is closed to open said relief valve.

13. In a flush valvemechanism, the combination of a valve seat, a primary valve seating thereon and having a depending cage guided within the seat and formed with a boss extending upwardly through the valve, v said boss having a central bore therethrough, I

a relief valve seated on said boss and having a stem guided in said bore and of less cross sectional area than the bore so-as to leave a relief passageway when the relief valve is' raised, means for opening the relief valve and subsequently opening the primary valve,

means for preventing the discharge of water past the primary valve during its opening movement and means for returning the relief valve to its seat while the primary valve remalns open.

14. In a flush valve mechanism, the com-L bination of a valve seat, a primary valvev seating thereon and having a depending cage secured thereto and guided within the seat, a'diaphragm having a collar secured centrally thereof to which the cage is secured, said cage being formed with a boss extending upwardly through said valveand collar and having a' central bore theret-hrough, a relief valve seated on said boss and having a stem guided in said bore and of less cross sectional. areasthan the bore so as to leave a relief passageway, means for opening the relief valve and subsequently opening the primary valve, means for preventing the discharge of water past the primary valve during its opening movement and means-for returning the relief valve to its seat while the primary valve remains open.

15. In a flush valvemechanism, the combination of an outlet having a mouth forming a valve seat, aprimary valve seating thereon and having a depending cage guided within the mouth, a diaphragm having a collar secured centrally thereto to which the cage and primary valve are secured, said collar having a bore with a hollow needle removably held therein and furnishing a restricted communication between thespaces on opposite sides of the diaphragm, a pas sageway between the interior of the cage and the space above the diaphragm, a relief valve controlling said passageway, means for opening the relief valve and subsequently opening'the primary valve, means for preventing the discharge of Water past the primary valve during its opening movement and means for returning the relief valve to its seat while the'primary valve remains open.

16. In a flush valve mechanism, the combination of an outlet having a mouth forming a valve seat, a primary valve seating thereon and having a depending cage guided within the mouth, a diaphragm having a collar secured centrally thereof to which the cage and primary valve are secured, said collar having a bore with a hollow needle removably held therein and furnishing a restricted communication between the spaces on opposite sides of the diaphragm, a peripheral flange formed on said collar below the diaphragm, said flange and primary valve having correspondingannular shoulders, a screen seated on said shoulders to prevent clogging of the duct through said needle, a passageway between the interior of the cage and the space above the diaphragm, a relief valve controlling said passageway, means for opening the relief valve and subsequently opening the primary valve, and means for returning the relief valve to its seat while the primary valve remains open.

17. In a flush valve mechanism, the combination of a diaphragm having a collar secured centrally thereto and formed with a peripheral flange beneath the diaphragm,

. a primary valve secured to the lower end of the collar in spaced relation to said flange, a bleed duct through the collar connecting the space above the diaphragm with the space between the flange and primary valve, corresponding annular shoulders formed on said flange and valve outside of the duct, and a screen seated on said shoulders to prevent clogging of the duct.

18. In a flush valve mechanism, the combination of a diaphragm having a collar secured centrally thereof and formed witha'peripheral flange beneath the diaphragm, a primary valve secured to-the lower end :ofthecollar inspaced relation to said flange,

a bore through the collar connecting the space above the diaphragm with the space between the flange and primary valve, a

hollow needle seated in said bore and forming a bleed duct, said needle projecting above the end of the collar, whereby it may be easily removed and replaced, annular shoulders formed on said flange and valve outside of the duct, and a screen seated on said shoulders to prevent clogging of the duct. I

19. In a flush valve mechanism, the combination of an outlet having a mouth forming a valve seat, a valve cooperating with said seat, a cage guided within said mouth and having a boss formed thereon and projecting upwardly through the valve, a collar secured to the boss and clamping the valve to the cage, a diaphragm secured to said collar and responsive to an excess of pressure above or below to close or open the having ports in its side walls near the top,

a sleeve valve reciprocable within the cage to cover or uncover said ports, a relief valve above the primary valve and having a stem r'eciprocably connected to the cage, said sleeve valve being connected with said stem. and having a limited sliding movement longitudinally thereof.

21. In a flush valve mechanism, the combination of an outlet having a mouth forming a valve seat, a primary valve cooperating with said seat, a cage secured'in depending relation to the valve and rec 1procable within said month, said cage having ports in its side walls near the top, a sleeve valve reciprocable within the cage to cover or uncover said ports, a. relief valve above the primary valve and having a stem extending downwardly into the cage and slidable therein, said stem having a reduced lower end, and a spider secured to the sleeve valve and slidably mounted on the reduced portion of said stem. I

22. In a flush valve-mechanism, the combination of an outlet havipg a mouth form ing a valve seat, a primary valve cooperating with said seatfa cage secured in depending relation to the valve and reciprocable within said mouth, said cage having ports in its side walls near the top, a sleeve valve reciprocable within the cage to cover 7 cage-to cover said ports, and means carried by the sleeve valve to engage said stem and open the relief valve upon. further upward movement of the sleeve valve.

23. In a flush valve mechanism, the com bination of an outlet having a mouth forming a valve seat, a primary valve coopercover said ports, a relief valve above the primary valve and having a stem extending downwardly into the cage and slidable therein, means engageable with the sleeve valve to raise the same within the cage to cover said ports, a s ider secured to the sleeve valve and slida le on the lower end of said stem, and a shoulder on saidstem engageable by the spider as soon as the sleeve reaches port closing position, so that further upward movement of the sleeve valve causes the relief valve to open.

' 24. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing having an inlet and an outlet, 2. primary valve normally closing said outlet, a diaphragm carrying said primary valve, a cage movable with said primary valve and having ports, a sleeve valve reciprocable within the cage to cover and uncover said ports, a handle, and means'operated by said handle to control the position of the sleeve valve.

25. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a primary valve normally closing said outlet, a diaphragm aboveand carrying said primary valve, a cage connected to and movable with the primary valve, said cage having port-s which are uncovered when the valve and cage are raised,

a sleeve valve in the cage to open and close said ports from the inside, a relief valve for relieving the pressure above. the diaphragm, means for raising said sleeve valve to close said ports and thereafter raising the relief valve, and means fon lowering said sleeve valve to open said ports while the i 150 26. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a housing having an incage is raised.

let and an outlet, a diaphragm within the housing, a primary valve connected to the housing and normally closing said outlet, a

cage connected to said primary valve and.

27. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a housing having an 'inlet and an outlet, a primary valve normally closing said outlet, a diaphragm carrying said primary valve, means for establishing a diiferential pressure on the diaphragm, a

relief valve for relieving the pressure above the diaphragm, a cage carried bythe pri-' mary valve and having ports which are uncovered when the primary valve is raised. hand operated means for closing said ports from the inside while opening the relief valve to cause the primary valve to he raised, so that no water is discharged through said primary valve until said hand operated means is released. In testimony that I claim my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

THOMAS ROBERT BEGGS.

the foregoing as 

